Regulatory risk a hot topic in Canadian M&A, says Sharon Geraghty in Lexpert

The Year of Rocks

Globalization is the backdrop for every deal: there isn’t a single purely domestic deal [in Lexpert's list of Top Canadian Corporate Deals of 2011]. But if globalization is the backdrop, what casts the shadow is very domestic – the role and clout of Canadian regulators, and their ability to affect deal timelines and even deal viability.

"Regulatory risk is a hot topic in Canadian M&A right now," says Sharon Geraghty. “There was a time when people took regulatory approval for granted.” Not anymore. "And that changes how people are doing deals." It drags out the timing of deals – and means that helping clients manage regulatory risk is atop the deal agenda from day one.

__________

Torys was involved in three of Lexpert’s Top 10 Corporate Deals of 2011, as well as it’s number 1 "honourable mention' deal.